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Promoting an increase in the number of female members of the construction and engineering industries has been highlighted as a chief government aim for the coming parliament.

Transport minister Lord Ahmad met with some of the country’s top female engineers from the rail, aviation and construction sector, alongside recent graduates and engineering students from London Imperial College at an event this week.

Held in support of Women in Engineering Day (June 23rd), the event focused on how best to overhaul the current image of engineering as a male-centric profession and make it one that is of equal appeal to both sexes.

Lord Ahmad stated: "Women currently make up a tiny proportion of our surveyors, engineers and construction professionals. We need to overhaul the sector's image, so engineering and construction are a more attractive career option for women.

"A diverse workforce means a more successful workforce, which is why I am backing this campaign."

The skills summit was seen as a chance to encourage more young women to select engineering courses at university in the years ahead.

The transport minister's comments were echoed by rail minister Claire Perry, who added that her own experiences of being a woman working in the transport sector have been nothing but positive, while the fact that there are now such major infrastructure projects as Crossrail and the Intercity Express Programme means this is a perfect time for more young women to enter the profession and excel.

"It is so important that we inspire the next generation of female engineers, building on the hard work of women in engineering today," she concluded.